For over 25 years, John (Jack) Oostema's practice has focused primarily on representing lawyers in legal malpractice actions and on insurance coverage matters related to professional liability insurance. He has represented attorneys, law firms, and insurance carriers nationwide. He has served as National Coverage Counsel for a prominent professional liability carrier that writes coverage for lawyers in over 40 states. In addition to regularly representing many of the largest firms in the state, Jack has also represented the State Bar of Michigan in connection with litigation challenging the constitutionality of the Character & Fitness review process. Recently, as part of its 50-State Survey of Legal Malpractice Law, Jack was asked by the Professional Liability Committee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association to author the Michigan chapter on legal malpractice law. For a copy of that work, click here.

A native of Grand Rapids, Jack is married to Gloria. They have two sons, J. Adam and Andrew, and a daughter, Megan.

Noteworthy

• Selected as a "Leader in the Law" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly (2010)
• AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
• Listed in Best Lawyers (2009-2012) -- Legal Malpractice Law
• Listed as a "Michigan Super Lawyer" (2006-2011) -- Insurance Coverage
• Listed in Benchmark Litigation 2010-2012

Education

• Calvin College (B.A., 1973)
• Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 1976)

Admitted to Practice

• State Bar of Michigan, 1976
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1982
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1984

A partial list of some of the cases that Jack has been involved in include:

• Lawrence v. Chabot, 182 Fed. Appx. 442, 2006 WL 1342316 (6th Cir. May 16, 2006)
• Colbert v. Coneybeare Law Office, 239 Mich. App. 608 (2000)
• Baldori v. Smith, 219 Mich. App. 713 (1997)
• Kintigh v. Abbott Pharmacy, 200 Mich. App. 92 (1993)
• Americans United for Separation of Church and State v. School District of Grand Rapids, 473 U.S. 373; 105 S.Ct. 3216; 87 L.Ed.2d 267 (1985), reversed in part, Agostini v. Felton, 521 U.S. 203; 117 S.Ct. 1997; 138 L.Ed.2d 391 (1997).

Client Successes for John R. Oostema

• 5/1/2010
  Chip Behler and Cindy Boer, assisted by Jack Oostema, successfully defended their client, a large Michigan law firm, against charges of malicious prosecution. After more than five weeks of trial, Smith Haughey's client was dismissed by the judge on a motion for directed verdict.
• 5/1/2006
  Richard Kraus and Jack Oostema recently prevailed in a federal appeal on behalf of the State Bar of Michigan. A law school graduate who did not pass the character and fitness screening required for admission to practice law in Michigan filed suit against the State Bar, alleging the acts on which the denial of admission were based were protected by his constitutional free speech and due process rights. Richard and Jack obtained a dismissal of the claim in the federal district court that was affirmed on appeal.
• 2/1/2006
  Jack Oostema has been named National Coverage Counsel for Professionals Direct Insurance Company a Michigan-based carrier that writes lawyers professional liability policies in 30 or more states.

News for John R. Oostema

12/16/2011
Smith Haughey Lawyers Names “Super Lawyers”

12/2/2011
Smith Haughey Recommended As A Top Litigation Firm In Michigan

9/14/2011
Smith Haughey and its Attorneys Voted "Best" By Their Peers

10/7/2010
Smith Haughey Lawyers Named "Super Lawyers"

8/30/2010
Smith Haughey and its Attorneys Voted "Best" By Their Peers

3/17/2010
Oostema Selected as a "Leader in the Law"

10/9/2009
Smith Haughey Recommended As a Top Litigation Firm in Michigan

9/17/2009
Smith Haughey Lawyers Named "Super Lawyers"

8/11/2009
Smith Haughey and its Attorneys Voted "Best" by Their Peers

2/23/2009
American Bar Association Taps Local Attorney to "Write the Book" on Legal Malpractice Law in Michigan

9/25/2008
Smith Haughey Lawyers Named "Super Lawyers"

9/19/2008
Smith Haughey and Attorneys Voted "Best" By Their Peers

10/26/2006
SHRR Lawyers are Super

11/27/2002
Tom Mccarthy and Jack Oostema Obtain Successful Result

8/20/2002
Jack Oostema Appointed to Grand Rapids Bar Leadership

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• The Federal Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan (Member: Character & Fitness Committee, 1983-1989; Civil Procedure Committee, 1991 - 1999)
• Grand Rapids Bar Association (Chairperson: Judicial Candidate Review Committee)
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Professional Responsibility Counselors